Colyton vs St Clair: true annual running costs compared (2026)
Last updated July 2026 · council rates current NSW schedules, ATO 88c/km, Opal & Translink fares, AER electricity benchmarks
Colyton and St Clair are both Penrith rates (OLG suburbs, sitting 38.7 km and 40 km from Sydney CBD respectively, and are commonly compared by buyers weighing up running costs within the same council area.
The two sit within $7 a year of each other to run, so running cost is a minor factor here — the decision comes down to schools, risk and lifestyle, all in the free report.
Over 10 years these two cost about the same to run. The difference here isn't money — it's location, schools and lifestyle.
Get the free report: 10-year costs, flood & fire risk, crime, schools and overall verdict →Colyton
St Clair
Annual cost breakdown
| Category | Colyton | St Clair | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Council rates | $1,604 | $1,604 | - |
| Water & sewerage | $1,548 | $1,548 | - |
| Commute (driving) | $6,751 | $6,758 | -$7 |
| Commute (public transport) | $2,400 | $2,400 | - |
| Home insurance | $1,850 | $1,850 | - |
| Body corporate (unit) | $2,100 | $2,100 | - |
| Total (driving) | $11,753 | $11,760 | -$7 |
| Total (public transport) | $7,402 | $7,402 | - |
Green = cheaper. Commute: ATO 88c/km, 220 working days. Insurance AI-estimated; actual premiums vary. Council rates: average residential rate (NSW, IPART-uplifted).
| Dwelling | Colyton | St Clair | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| House | $2,420 | $2,420 | - |
| Unit | $1,920 | $1,920 | - |
Estimated from AER residential benchmarks for each suburb's climate zone at 2025 rates (QLD 30c/kWh, NSW 33c/kWh incl. supply charge; unit ≈ 75% of a house). Get the free report for a breakdown by your exact number of occupants.
Cost breakdown chart
Annual cost breakdown — Colyton vs St Clair (2026-27)
What the numbers show
Colyton and St Clair cost within $7 of each other annually by car. Over ten years with 3% annual growth the gap reaches roughly $80, making running cost a minor factor in the decision.
The biggest single gap is commute costs at $7 per year. St Clair is 40 km from Sydney CBD, which drives higher annual driving costs at the ATO rate of 88c/km.
On public transport the two suburbs cost almost the same, $7,402 and $7,402 a year, so the $7 driving gap nearly closes if you commute by public transport.
10-year cumulative cost projection
| Year | Colyton cumulative | St Clair cumulative | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | $11,753 | $11,760 | $7 |
| Year 3 | $36,327 | $36,349 | $22 |
| Year 5 | $62,398 | $62,435 | $37 |
| Year 10 | $134,735 | $134,815 | $80 |
Assumes 3% annual cost growth. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is Colyton or St Clair cheaper to live in?
Colyton is cheaper to run by car at $11,753 per year versus $11,760 for St Clair, a difference of $7 annually. Figures cover council rates, water, commute (ATO 88c/km), and home insurance. Source: SuburbCost 2026 data.
What are council rates in Colyton and St Clair?
Annual council rates for a house are $1,604 in Colyton (Penrith rates (OLG) and $1,604 in St Clair (Penrith rates (OLG). Water and sewerage adds $1,548 in Colyton and $1,548 in St Clair. Both figures are the average residential rate reported to the Office of Local Government, uplifted by each council's IPART rate peg.
How does the commute cost compare between Colyton and St Clair?
Annual driving commute costs are $6,751 from Colyton and $6,758 from St Clair to Sydney CBD (ATO 88c/km). Public transport costs $2,400 from Colyton and $2,400 from St Clair.
What is the 10-year cost difference between Colyton and St Clair?
At 3% annual cost growth, Colyton costs a cumulative $134,735 and St Clair costs $134,815 over 10 years by car. The cumulative difference is $80 in favour of Colyton. Excludes purchase price, mortgage, and personal expenses.
Which of Colyton and St Clair is best to actually live in?
You've got the costs. Get the free personalised report for the rest: a clear verdict on which suburb wins, the full flood, fire and crime risk profile, nearest schools, estimated electricity cost by number of occupants, and your own loan or rent stress-tested over 10 years. No spam.
Related comparisons
Sources: Penrith rates (OLG and Penrith rates (OLG rate data, water utility pricing (QLD: Queensland Urban Utilities / Unitywater; NSW: Sydney Water / Hunter Water), ATO 88c/km, and SuburbCost AI insurance estimates. Data updated July 2026.